I remind travelling
lovers (but not only :)) that there are two more posts connected with my big
passion – Barcelona and Paris. Today is a time for next
European city and answer the question – what
is worth to visit in … Prague? I’m writing about it after two previous
cities but honestly it’s my favourite city and I can come back there as many
times as it’s possible. I’ve been there four times but there are still so many
places to visit. Anyway, if you’ve ever had any doubts, don’t have them
anymore, it’s really worth to go there!
Prague
is the capital of the Czech Republic and is situated on the Vltava River. Its
history started in 500 BC, when Celtic tribes settled there. For years governments
in the area have changed – until year 800, when the dynasty of Přemyslid founded
the city. Over the years there was better or worse, there were many wars and
the city was passed from hand to hand. At the end, in 1784 one city was made
from five separated – Old Town, New Town, Josefov, Mala Strana and Prague
Castle. That’s the present Prague – beautiful with characteristic red roofs which
you can see on the main picture :)
How to get to Prague? The town can be reached in many ways. You won’t use
cheap flights yet but Prague is so close that you can choose other means of
transport. For example Polski Bus – buying tickets in advance will be much cheaper.
Of course, take into account the fact that not everyone likes travelling by bus.
Choose what you like :) For railway fans there
is the second solution – the train of course. The best solution and probably
the most economical is to get to the Český Těšín from where trains take us
straight to the city. You should ask the cashier for a discount, for example –
travelling in a group will be very attractive. It’s also a place where you can
meet with the Czech language, which prepares many surprises – look on the
picture below ;)
Where to stay in Prague? The same as with transport there are many
possibilities. Personally, I slept in a few different places – from the
exclusive hotel with a swimming pool to the guesthouse. Each of these were great
and worth of recommending. Prices varied of course – my average is around 50
PLN per night. It is worth finding such a place, which will be close to public
transport – subway or other means of transport. It also allows us to save a lot
of time for city exploring.
Where to eat in Prague? In many places ;) I still do not recommend you to go
to McDonald's or KFC – ok, only for a cup of coffee. Try regional dishes – there
are plenty of them. First and the most important are “knedliki” - don’t leave
Prague without trying them! The dish is not dietetic and will be horrible for
people who are on diet but, honestly, from time to time you can change your
habits ;) You can choose three kinds of them. Next dish is svíčková – beef tenderloin in a sweet creamy sauce. Very
interesting combination – especially that in Poland (and other countries) it’s
not common to eat meat with sweet sauce. Smažený
sýr – another interesting dish on the menu – it’s a cheese made in coating
and fried on the pan. Being in Prague (or at all in the Czech Republic) is also
worth to try ducks and of course regional Czech beers. For the end something
sweet – trdelník which originally
comes from Slovakia (!), but it can also be found in other cities (Budapest as
well :) ). It is a sweet cake that is wrapped around a stick,
then grilled and sprinkled with sugar mixed with nuts and cinnamon. In extra
sweet version it’s poured with chocolate ;) Look for such places.
Okay, so it’s high time
to go to my list of top 5 in Prague
- even 6 as you’ll see in a moment ;)
1. Charles
Bridge: connects Mala Strana
with the Old Town. It’s a place which always is full of tourists and local souvenirs
sellers and also musicians. Almost everywhere you can meet more or less
talented artists. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid in 1357 by
Charles IV of Luxembourg. Do not forget to touch reliefs beneath the statue of
St. John of Nepomuk – then for sure you will return to Prague. It really works
;)
2. Prague
Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
: former seat of Czech kings. According to the Guinness Book of Records is the biggest
castle in the world. The origins of the castle dates back to the IX century.
For many years the castle experienced the ups and downs until nowadays when it
is open to the public. There is also Cathedral on the hill which makes a great
impression. Built in the Gothic style, contains a collection of valuable works
of art and relics of saints. Also, it can be visited. Being in Prague do not
forget to watch the changing of the guard, which takes place every day at 12:00.
3. Golden Street: most likely, the name comes from goldsmiths living
here in the past, who worked for the Treasury. For many years there was a place
for poor people. The most famous cottage is number 22 , where in 1917 Franz
Kafka wrote his books. After II World War the street was closed for inhabitants
and from 2011 it can be visited. Today there are numerous souvenir shops and
visualizations showing the life of former inhabitants.
4. City
Hall: the beginning of the
construction of the Town Hall is scheduled for 1338, the first clock was
installed in 1402 and since 1490 there is the clock which we can see today. The
clock consists of three main parts: the astronomical – showing the positions of
celestial bodies, the calendar – with medallions representing the months and
animation – with moving figures of the twelve apostles and the ideas of Death,
Turk, Vanitas and Greed. The City Hall was the seat of the municipal government.
5. Malá
Strana: today it’s a district
of Prague but till 1784 was a separate town on the left bank of the Vltava
River. Mala Strana changed mostly during the reign of Charles IV – has been expanded
and surrounded by a wall. During the Hussite Wars and the numerous fires was very
damaged and people had to get rid of their homes because of the poverty. Then rich
people started building their houses there. On the attached picture you can see
the John Lennon Wall, which was founded in the 80's of the last century, in
order to express the complaints against communism by young Prague people.
6. The
National Theatre in Prague: of
course my visit in Prague couldn’t exist without visiting opera J It was founded in 1888 – originally as a theater, since
1992 its known as the opera. What more to say – you have to see and listen to!
Subtitles are in Czech and English so you’ll u
I think that now you don’t
have any doubts why choose Prague. What is
worth to visit in Prague? There are many places that are breathtaking and
you’ll desire to come back here again and again .
0 komentarze :
Post a Comment